Abstract

In an effort to eliminate the replacement of the batteries of electronic devices that are
difficult or impractical to service once deployed, harvesting energy from mechanical
vibrations or impacts using piezoelectric materials has been researched over the last
several decades. However, a majority of these applications have very low input
frequencies. This presents a challenge for the researchers to optimize the energy output
of piezoelectric energy harvesters, due to the relatively high elastic moduli of
piezoelectric materials used to date. This paper reviews the current state of research on
piezoelectric energy harvesting devices for low frequency (0–100 Hz) applications and the
methods that have been developed to improve the power outputs of the piezoelectric energy
harvesters. Various key aspects that contribute to the overall performance of a
piezoelectric energy harvester are discussed, including geometries of the piezoelectric
element, types of piezoelectric material used, techniques employed to match the resonance
frequency of the piezoelectric element to input frequency of the host structure, and
electronic circuits specifically designed for energy harvesters.

This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Technologies
Office, and was conducted at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, operated by Battelle for
the U.S. Department of Energy.

Abstract

In an effort to eliminate the replacement of the batteries of electronic devices that are
difficult or impractical to service once deployed, harvesting energy from mechanical
vibrations or impacts using piezoelectric materials has been researched over the last
several decades. However, a majority of these applications have very low input
frequencies. This presents a challenge for the researchers to optimize the energy output
of piezoelectric energy harvesters, due to the relatively high elastic moduli of
piezoelectric materials used to date. This paper reviews the current state of research on
piezoelectric energy harvesting devices for low frequency (0–100 Hz) applications and the
methods that have been developed to improve the power outputs of the piezoelectric energy
harvesters. Various key aspects that contribute to the overall performance of a
piezoelectric energy harvester are discussed, including geometries of the piezoelectric
element, types of piezoelectric material used, techniques employed to match the resonance
frequency of the piezoelectric element to input frequency of the host structure, and
electronic circuits specifically designed for energy harvesters.